Released in 1991

War - The Air Raid Siren Slices Through...

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 9, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Liverpool Oratorio
By Paul McCartney

Related songs

War - Andante (Orchestra)
Officially appears on Liverpool Oratorio
War - Non Nobis Solum
Officially appears on Liverpool Oratorio
War - Oh Will It All End Here?
Officially appears on Liverpool Oratorio
War - Mother and Father Holding Their Child
Officially appears on Liverpool Oratorio

“The Air Raid Siren Slices Through…” is the third track of the first movement – entitled “War” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

I: WAR. 1942. A world at war. Sirens sound as bombs fall over Liverpool and despairing couples shelter underground. Amid the blaze and the chaos of an air raid, a child is born. And there is hope.
“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

SHANTY

The air raid siren slices through

A night in 1942.

A couple sheltering in the gloom

Know all too well this waiting room

For often they have in the past

Been huddled close against the blast

Of doodle bugs and bombs galore,

They can't put up with any more.

So it was that I was born

Into this world one summer morning

And breaking through this brand new day

I hear the sound of warning.

CHORUS

(War, Ah)

Officially appears on

Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1991
2:09 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991
Selections from Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
Official album • Released in 1992
2:09 • Live • L1
Paul McCartney : Executive producer Eddie Klein : Additional engineer John Timperley : Balance engineer Carl Davis : Orchestra conductor Peter Mew : Additional engineer, Editor John Fraser : Producer Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra : Orchestra Nic Raine : Assistant to carl davis Martin Astle : Additional engineer Tom Leader : Additional engineer, Editor Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir : Choir Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral : Choir Ian Tracey : Chorus master and master of the choriste Jerry Hadley : Tenor
Concert From the concert in Liverpool, United Kingdom on Jun 28, 1991

Live performances

“War - The Air Raid Siren Slices Through...” has been played in 2 concerts.

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Latest concerts where “War - The Air Raid Siren Slices Through...” has been played

Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 29, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio
Liverpool • Liverpool Cathedral • United Kingdom
Jun 28, 1991 • Part of Liverpool Oratorio

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